Town Council - June 18, 2025
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 437 Old Mammoth Road, Suite Z, Mammoth Lakes.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Janet Hatfield led the flag salute.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
1. Christi Constable Public Comment.pdf
2. Steve Shatkin Public Comment.pdf
The Public Comment portion of the agenda provides the public with an opportunity to address the Town Council on matters not otherwise listed on the agenda. Under California law the Town Council is prohibited from generally discussing or taking action on items not included in the agenda; however, the Town Council may briefly respond to comments or questions from members of the public. Therefore, the Town Council will listen to all public comment, but will not generally discuss the matter or take action on it. Requests for service from the Town may also be made at the Town offices during regular business hours. Members of the public desiring to speak on a matter appearing on the agenda should ask the Mayor for the opportunity to be heard when the item comes up for Council consideration.
Betsy Truax, Mammoth Lakes Tourism (MLT) Vice President of Community Engagement, gave an update regarding upcoming MLT events.
David Eichman, Interim Director of the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce, gave an update regarding current Chamber activities.
Pat Foster, Hot Creek Aviation, announced that he brokered a deal with the Bishop Flying Club to base an airplane in Mammoth for rent to learn to fly.
Trails Program Manager Andrew Mulford gave an update regarding the Sherwins Area Recreation Plan.
Stacy Corless outlined her concerns regarding the proposal in the federal budget reconciliation bill to make public lands eligible for sale to balance the federal budget. She urged the Town Council to communicate with federal leaders about the negative effects this proposal would have in our area.
Ann Gimple said that she agreed with Ms. Corless.
Carrie Guerriero said that she agreed with Ms. Corless.
4. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
Opportunity to add urgency items pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2(b)2, if necessary.
Town Manager Rob Patterson outlined the need for the addition of an urgency item. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice, seconded by Councilmember John Wentworth, and carried by a 5-0 vote that, pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2b2, the Council hereby determines that there is a need to take immediate action and that the need for action came to the attention of the Town subsequent to the agenda being posted as specified in subdivision a, said item being Federal Land sell off proposal.
Town Manager Rob Patterson outlined potential items to be addressed in a letter to our federal legislators. There was discussion among members of Council PUBLIC COMMENT:
Ann Gimple said that there was impacts to public lands all around us so we should coordinate with area partners on our response.
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice
Seconded by Councilmember John Wentworth
Direct staff to draft a letter signed by the Mayor in opposition to any federal land sale and to be forwarded to our federal representatives.
For (5): Mayor Chris Bubser, Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice, Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember Brent Truax, and Councilmember John Wentworth Carried (5 to 0)
There was discussion among members of Council.
5. REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND/OR DEPARTMENTS (AS NEEDED) Parks and Recreation Director Stuart Brown handed out the new Summer Recreation Guide and gave an update regarding current parks and recreation activities.
Airport Operations Manager Soibian Spring gave an update regarding current activities at the Airport.
Town Manager Rob Patterson said that Forest Service staff requested that the Town fund the Forest Service contracts for pumping out the vault toilets on federal lands in our area. Mr. Patterson said that he approved the request and used Camp Like a Pro funds and Town funds to pay for the services. There was discussion among members of Council, staff, and Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District Fire Chief Ales Tomaier.
Janet Hatfield, Whitebark Institute Resilience Program Director, gave an update regarding the status of their forest thinning projects around our area. There was discussion among members of Council, Ms. Hatfield, and Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District Fire Chief Ales Tomaier. .
6. CONSENT AGENDA
Moved by
Councilmember John Wentworth
Seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice
Approve the Consent Agenda.
For (5)
Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember John Wentworth, Mayor Chris Bubser, Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice, and Councilmember Brent Truax Carried (5 to 0)
6.1 Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 4, 2025.
1. June 4, 2025 Minutes.pdf
6.2 Approve the Resolution Adopting the Amended Town of Mammoth Lakes Sustainable Purchasing and Practices Policy.
1. Sustainable Purchasing Policy.pdf
2. Resolution Sustainable Purchasing Policy.pdf
3. Sustainable Practices Procurement PolicyFINAL.pdf
6.3 Approve the resolution authorizing the temporary closure of certain Town roads for the Fourth of July Parade and Freedom Mile Run on July 4, 2025.
1. July 4 Road Closure Resolution.pdf
6.4 Accept the Project Closeout Report for S.H.A.R.P. (Sherwins Area Recreation Plan) Trailhead Facilities Project.
1. Project Closeout Report_SHARP Trailhead.pdf
6.5 Accept the Project Closeout Report for the Childcare Center Project.
1. Project Closeout Report_Childcare Center.pdf
6.6 Award Architectural and Consultant Design Services Contract for the Childcare Center Tenant Improvement (TI) project to HMC Architects.
1. Award Childcare TI architectural design services.pdf
2. HMC prop_Childcare TI_20250606.pdf
6.7 Accept Check Register 6/12/25 in the amount of $1,220,891.97.
1. Check Register 06122025.pdf
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public Hearing Procedure.
The Mayor will open the public hearing and then: Statement and presentation by staff. Statement and presentation by property owner or appellant. Questions from the Town Council. Call for testimony. Rebuttal to previous testimony by property owner or appellant. Close the public hearing, terminating public testimony. The Town Council will deliberate the matter and arrive at a decision.
7.1 Town of Mammoth Lakes Fiscal Year 2025-26 Master Fee Schedule Update.
1. FY25-26 Fee Schedule - rp.pdf
2. Combined Schedule - FY25-26.pdf
3. BldgDivFeeSched FY25-26.pdf
4. Resolution.pdf
5. Public Art reso 25-__.pdf
The Mayor opened the public hearing at 5:21 p.m.
Town Manager Rob Patterson outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
With no members of the public coming forward to speak, the Mayor closed the public hearing at 5:27 p.m.
Moved by
Councilmember John Wentworth
Seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice
Adopt the resolution establishing and updating a master schedule of fees and charges for Town services for FY25-26.
For (5)
Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember John Wentworth, Mayor Chris Bubser, Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice, and Councilmember Brent Truax Carried (5 to 0)
7.2 Approval of Appropriations Limit, Investment Policy, Reserve Policy, Debt Policy, and Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
1. FY25-26 Final Budget.pdf
2. FY25-26 - Final Budget.pdf
3. Appropriation Limit Calculation.pdf
4. Resolution - Appropriation Limit.pdf
5. Investment Policy.pdf
6. Investment Policy Exhibit A.pdf
7. Investment Policy Exhibit B.pdf
8. Resolution - Investment Policy.pdf
9. Reserve Policy.pdf
10. Resolution - Reserve Policy.pdf
11. Debt Management Policy.pdf
12. Resolution - Debt Management Policy.pdf
13. Resolution - Adopt Budget.pdf
14. Budget - Line Item Detail.pdf
The Mayor opened the public hearing at 5:28 p.m.
Town Manager Rob Patterson outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council, staff, and Mammoth Lakes Tourism Executive Director John Urdi.
With no members of the public coming forward to speak, the Mayor closed the public hearing at 6:23 p.m.
There was discussion among members of Council.
The Mayor called a recess at 6:26 p.m. and the Council reconvened at 6:31 p.m.
Moved by
Councilmember John Wentworth
Seconded by
Councilmember Bill Sauser
Adopt a resolution establishing the Town of Mammoth Lakes appropriations limit for Fiscal Year 25-26. Adopt a resolution reaffirming the Town of Mammoth Lakes Investment Policy for Fiscal Year 25-26. Adopt a resolution reaffirming the Town of Mammoth Lakes Reserve Policy for Fiscal Year 25-26. Adopt a resolution reaffirming the Town of Mammoth Lakes Debt Policy for Fiscal Year 25-26. Adopt a resolution approving the Annual Budget for the Town of Mammoth Lakes for Fiscal Year 25-26, as presented.
For (5)
Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember John Wentworth, Mayor Chris Bubser, Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice, and Councilmember Brent Truax Carried (5 to 0)
8. POLICY MATTERS
8.1 Agreement with Mammoth Lakes Performing Arts Foundation to administer an endowment to support operations and management of the Performing Arts Facility.
1. Performing Arts Agreement.pdf
2. Agreement.pdf
3. Articles_MLPFA.pdf
Town Manager Rob Patterson outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Jo Bacon, Secretary of the Mammoth Lakes Performing Arts Foundation, offered to answer questions from Council. She announced the names of the Board of the Foundation.
Moved by
Councilmember Bill Sauser
Seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice
Approve the agreement with
the
Mammoth Lakes Performing Arts
F
oundation
to perform fundraising efforts
for and administer an endowment fund
t
o support operations and maintenance of the McCoy Arts and Cultural Center (MACC) , pending final legal review by
Mammoth Lakes Performing Arts Foundation
Board or legal representation.
For (5)
Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember John Wentworth, Mayor Chris Bubser, Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice, and Councilmember Brent Truax Carried (5 to 0)
8.2 Consideration of the Ordinance adopting the State Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps for the Town of Mammoth Lakes.
1. Mammoth Lakes FHSZ Map Ordinance.pdf
2. FHSZ Map - Mammoth Lakes.pdf
3. Attachment 1 - FHSZ ordinance.pdf
4. Attachment 2 - Calfire FHSZ FAQs.pdf
5. Hazard Maps Update - MLFPD.pdf
Community and Economic Development Director Nolan Bobroff and Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District Division Chief Mike McCarthy outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
Moved by
Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice
Seconded by
Councilmember John Wentworth
Waive the first reading
and introduce by title only an ordinance adopting the State Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps for the Town of Mammoth Lakes and finding that the ordinance is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §15378 because the activity is not considered to be a project.
For (5)
Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember John Wentworth, Mayor Chris Bubser, Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice, and Councilmember Brent Truax Carried (5 to 0)
8.3 Consider an extension to the Lease to Locals program operated under contract with Placemate and the commitment of a maximum $30,000 in additional administrative fees.
1. Lease to Locals - Contract Extension.pdf
2. First Amendent - Lease to Locals Agreement.pdf
3. Lease to Locals Agreement, July 3, 2024.pdf
Community and Economic Development Director Nolan Bobroff and Isaac Landman, Placemate, outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
Moved by
Councilmember John Wentworth
Seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice
Approve an amendment to the
Placemate contract to
extend the operating term of the
Lease to Locals
program
to December 31,
2025,
and to
commit a maximum of $30,000 in additional
administrative fee
s, which will be paid out on a
performance-based
structure of $1,667 per property that enters the Lease to Locals program during the extended term.
For (3)
Councilmember John Wentworth, Mayor Chris Bubser, and Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice Against (2)
Councilmember Bill Sauser, and Councilmember Brent Truax Carried (3 to 2)
9. COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
1. Councilmember Reports.pdf
Informational reports from Councilmember representatives on committees, commissions, and organizations; general reports on Councilmember activities.
Councilmember Wentworth attended the SHARP trailhead ribbon cutting ceremony, the California Natural Resources Agency leadership recreation focused meeting in Sacramento, and the Governing Council of the Sierra Jobs First Collaborative, Mayor Pro Tem Rice attended Kidapalooza.
Councilmember Truax attended the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) meeting, his daughter's graduation, the Mono County Supervisor's meeting, the Al Davis memorial, and the opening for public swim at Whitmore Pool.
Mayor Bubser attended the LAFCO meeting, the first Trashy Thursday, the SNARL lectures, and Eastern Sierra Pride events held at Canyon Lodge.
10. CLOSED SESSION
10.1 Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6.(a), Conference with Labor Negotiators, the Council will meet with its representatives, Town Manager Rob Patterson, Community and Economic Development Director Nolan Bobroff, and Human Resources Manager Amanda Pelham
with respect to the following Employee Organizations: Mammoth Lakes Police Officers Association and the Mammoth Lakes Supervisory Association.
At 7:23 p.m. the Mayor announced that the Council would be entering into closed session for the purposes as stated in the agenda.
11. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION TAKEN AFTER CLOSED SESSION
The Council reconvened from closed session at 7:50 p.m. and announced that there was no reportable action taken.
12. ADJOURNMENT
The Town Council will adjourn to a regular meeting to be held on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
The Council adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m.